Temperate Deciduous forests are found across much of north-west Europe, eastern North America and parts of East Asia. They occur in these regions because they are well suited to the moderate climate. The climate isn't extreme - summers are warm and winters are cool:
the annual temperature range in these areas is low
precipitation can occur throughout the year
there is a long growing season
Soils A brown earth soil
the most common type of soil is known as brown earth, which is reddish-brown in colour
deciduous trees lose their leaves every year. The fallen leaves then slowly rot - helping to keep the soil fertile
mineral are slowly washed (or leached) through the soil
Vegetation
Deciduous types their leaves in the winter, when the light and temperature falls. The vegetation in temperate deciduous forests grows in layers (see the diagram below).
Bluebells grow very quickly in the spring so they can flower before the trees get their leaves as the forest floor is too dark to grow when the canopy is complete.
The stratification of the temperate deciduous forest How is the Deciduous forest used and sustainably managed?
Recreation in Epping Forest
Millions of people visit Epping Forest every year. With its woods, grassy plains and attractive ponds and lakes, there's somethig for everyone. There are many footpaths for walkers (including easy access paths for people with limited mobility), 50km of rides for horse riders, and plenty of space for cyclists:
there are over 60 football pitches for hire on Wanstead flats
there's also an 18-hole golf course at Chingford
refreshments are avialbale throughout the forest, ranging from tea stalls, ice-cream stands, pubs and cafes
Epping Forest is in Essex. It is north-east of London and covers an area of 2,500 hectares and about 19km long and 4 km wide. 70% of the Epping Forest is deciuous woodland. It is home to a rich variety of wildlife such as all three native species of woodpecker and wood-boring stag beetles. Fallow deer still roam the forest.
Sustainable management
For many years the practice of pollarding was used to manage the woodland. This invloves cutting the trees to about shoulder height, above the level of browsing by animals such as deer. Pollarded trees reshoot at this height, thereby producing new wood for future cutting This is a good example of sustainable management as it ensures a supply of wood for future generations. It also accounts for the presence of some ancient trees because, rahtr than being felled they were pollarded
Over 1,600 hectares has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a European Special Area of Conservation. This offers protection under law to its large number of ancient trees, which support a vast variety of flora and fauna
The City of London Corporation looks after the forest and as part of its plans it has done or will carry out the following:
managing recreation by providig appropriate car parks, toilets and refreshemnt facitilties and by maintaining footpaths
providing three easy-access parks to allow access for people with disabilities
allowing old trees to die and collapse naturally unless they are dangerous
controlling some forms of recreation, such as riding and mountain biking, which may damage or affect other forms of recreation
preserving ancient trees by re-pollarding them to enable new shoots to grow - since 1981, over 1,000 anicent trees have been re-pollarded Pollarding before and after
encouraging grazing to maintain the grassland and the flora and fauna associated with it
preserving ancient earthworks and buildings
maintaining ponds to prevent them silting up
preserving the herd of fallow deer
Key terms:
Stratification: layering of forests particularly evident in temperate deciduous forests and tropical rainforests
Pollarding: cutting off trees at about shoulder height to encourage new growth
Sustainable management: a management approach that conserves the environment for future generations to enjoy as it is today
This webpage will cover the following:
Video on the deforestation of the deciduous woodlands in the UK -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/changing-ecosystems-the-deforestation-of-britain/3234.html
The climate of Temperate Deciduous forests
Temperate Deciduous forests are found across much of north-west Europe, eastern North America and parts of East Asia. They occur in these regions because they are well suited to the moderate climate. The climate isn't extreme - summers are warm and winters are cool:
Soils A brown earth soil
Vegetation
Bluebells grow very quickly in the spring so they can flower before the trees get their leaves as the forest floor is too dark to grow when the canopy is complete.
The stratification of the temperate deciduous forest
How is the Deciduous forest used and sustainably managed?
Recreation in Epping Forest
Millions of people visit Epping Forest every year. With its woods, grassy plains and attractive ponds and lakes, there's somethig for everyone. There are many footpaths for walkers (including easy access paths for people with limited mobility), 50km of rides for horse riders, and plenty of space for cyclists:
Epping Forest is in Essex. It is north-east of London and covers an area of 2,500 hectares and about 19km long and 4 km wide. 70% of the Epping Forest is deciuous woodland. It is home to a rich variety of wildlife such as all three native species of woodpecker and wood-boring stag beetles. Fallow deer still roam the forest.
Sustainable management
Key terms:
Stratification: layering of forests particularly evident in temperate deciduous forests and tropical rainforests
Pollarding: cutting off trees at about shoulder height to encourage new growth
Sustainable management: a management approach that conserves the environment for future generations to enjoy as it is today